AndrewRAm

Hi,
I am a new user to the forum, but it looks like a great site....
I have a '93 Grand Am 2.3l.
When i check the oil, the oil itself is clean, but there is white sludge attached to the dipstick. A friend said it was condensation and would be cured by replacing the thermostat which i did, but the problem is still there... any ideas?
thanks, Andrew

Ridenour

actually i dont think thats condensation - it sounds like you've got a bad LIM (lower intake manifold) - that white stuff is actually coolant. When your lower intake manifold goes, you get coolant in your oil, and eventually it can majorally mess up your engine by eating through your bearings. Go to www.grandamgt.com and do a search on LIM and you'll find a ton - the LIM issue is very common amongst us grand ams

swalt

A white sludge could possibly be condensation depending on your driving habits. If you do a lot of short city trips, your engine may not get up to operating temperature to burn off any condensation from cold start up. If you happen to do highway driving, then I would lean toward the intake problem. White sludge on the oil sight is common for motorcyclists who don't get their bikes up to operating temperature. A good highway run burns it off...(speaking as a grand am owner and a motorcyclist)

lou S.

Are you having to add coolant? If the level on your dipstick is increasing I would believe you have a gasket leak and coolant in oil can cause very severe damage to your bearings.